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PHW · Manufacturing · 2026-07-17

Puratos Limited fined £120,000 after ongoing exposure to dust and manual handling risk

Buckingham, Buckinghamshire · Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court

What happened

HSE inspections found workers exposed to inhalable dust above workplace exposure limits from machinery leaks, compressed air dust dispersal and dry sweeping. Workers were also manually lifting 25kg ingredient sacks daily without adequate mechanical assistance.

Injuries: No specific injury reported; the case concerned ongoing risk of occupational asthma and manual handling injury.

The breach

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

The sentence

  • Fine: £120,000
  • Costs: £6,270
HSE inspector

“When employers prevent exposure, the risk of occupational asthma is removed.”

What would have prevented it

Dust-generating processes need engineering controls and safe cleaning methods, and heavy repetitive lifting needs mechanical aids, not reliance on manual technique alone.

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Source: HSE press release, Food manufacturer fined £120,000 after workers exposed to hazardous dust and manual handling risks